Sizing and finishing compositions



Patented Sept. 25, 1945 SIZING AND FINISHING COMPOSITIONS Fred G. LaPiana, Forest Hills, N. Y., and Herman S. Bosland, Providence, R. 1.,assignors to Stein, Hall & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporationoi New York No Drawing. Application J une 25, 1941, Serial No. 399,742

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to the treatment of textiles and, moreparticularly, to compositions and methods for improving the physicalcharacteristics of fibrous materials, such as yarns, threads, paper andcloth fabrics to render the material permanently more valuable for manyuses. The invention resides in the provision of new and usefulcompositions adapted to be applied to fibrous materials, such astextiles, and in the method of utilizing said compositions to 11m partpermanently altered physical characteristics to the materials which aretreated.

The compositions of this invention may be used as a size or finish forimproving, among other characteristics the hand or feel of the materialand also to increase the weight and body of the material treatedtherewith. This treatment of the material generally is accompanied by animprovement in texture and appearance and in some instances thecompositions also may have a smoothing and binding effect upon thesurfaces of the yarns and threads of which the fabrics are formed. Theuse of the compositions as a sizing or finishing material, however, maynot be regarded as the primary function thereof in view of additionaladvantages in the use of the compositions as described hereinafter.

In addition to a sizing or finishing effect, the compositions of thisinvention are adapted to be used to impart a crispness or stiffness andspringlness to the fabrics. As a result the textiles treated inaccordance with the invention acquire a characteristic appearance, suchas that possessed by organdies or other fabrics of the type widely usedwhere stiff fabrics are desired, such as in the manufacture of curtainsand the like.

It is an important advantage of the invention that the compositionsapplied to the fabrics may be rendered water-insoluble to such an extentthat they are resistant to ordinary aqueous treatment and, inparticular, are rendered permanently fixed to the fabric or othermaterial notwithstanding repeated laundering. As a result, a repeatedlylaundered fabric treated in accordance with the invention will retaincrispness as well as the desirable body or weight over long periods oftime without any necessity for the repeated use of stiil'ening material.

The formation of a water-insoluble coating having the characteristicsdescribed above, has an additional eflect of preventing shrinkage of thematerials treated. Conventional fabrics and other materials frequentlyundergo dimensional changes due to laundering or other liquid treatment,and it is an additional advantage that textiles treated in accordancewith the invention are stabilized against shrinkage.

Moreover the compositions may be rendered water-insoluble by the mereapplication of heat which, if desired, may be a separate processing stepor may be accomplished simultaneously with the use of heat during theoperation of conventional finishing or sizing processes. The subjectionof the materials to a moderate heat suffices to bring about a coactionof the materials, which renders substantially the entire compositionwator-insoluble.

Although in the preferred form of the invention the compositions afterapplication to the fabrics are rendered water-insoluble, thecompositions may be applied to the fabrics in a water-insoluble state.As a result, the compositions when applied preferably are in the form ofan aqueous solution or dispersion which permits them to be easilyapplied to the fabric or other material in a form which is preferred bymost manufacturers and permits the use of conventional apparatus. Withrespect to the use of conventional apparatus, it will be apparent thatno difficulty will be experienced from gumming up of the compositions onthe machines, and cleaning thereof is readily accomplished with wateralone.

The use of water-dispersible compositions also makes it possible toapply the compositions to all types of synthetic fibers, and latex orother rubher-containing textiles, without any danger of dissolution orchemical attack, such as might result from the use of the organicsolvents that have been resorted to in the prior art when crisp finishesare desired.

It is an advantage of the invention that the preferred compositions arerelatively inexpensive, which renders the use of the compositionseconomical and, in view of the many advantages, preferable to ordinarymaterials heretofore used.

The coating compositions of the invention contain as the principalingredients starch, a watersolubie potentially water-insolubleurea-aldehyde compound, and a water-soluble polyvinyl compositioncontaining polyvinyl alcohol as the ma- Jor ingredient.

With respect to the principal ingredients listed above, the majoringredient in amount is an amylaceous substance. The term amylaceoussubstance" is used herein to denote any of the readily availablecommercial forms of starch, particularly those adapted for applicationto textiles, whether of root or other origin, and unmodified or modifiedwith heat or chemicals but which still retain their amylaceouscharacter. However, in general, it has been found not desirable in mostcases to use the modified starches which are characterized by anextremely high degree of solubility (before gelatinisation). such asthose approaching the solubility of dextrine. The use of such materialsis not excluded, however, as in some cases highly solubilized starchesor starch derivatives such as dextrine may be desired. Particularlydesirable results have been obtained by the use of a starch which hasbeen acylated to form, for example, acetylated starch. For convenienceand simplicity of presentation, the invention will be described hereinutilizing starch, but it is intended that the description shall alsoapply to the use of other amyiaceous substances.

It is preferred to utilize an amount of starch which is at least 50% ofthe total amount of the principal ingredients and this may be increasedif desired to as high as 90%. The use of a large amount of starch isdesirable from a cost standpoint. The starch is used primarily toincrease the weight and body of the fabric and the amount of starchwhich is used in the compositions of this invention is determined forthe most part by the type of finished fabric desired.

The polyvinyl compositions which may be used in forming the compositionsof this invention preferably comprise the polyvinyl alcohols which arewater-soluble and commercially available for textile treatment. Thepolyvinyl alcohols referred to herein include those in the usualcommercial form, and are white solids which are readily soluble inwater. They are prepared in many cases from the esters or othercompounds and accordingly, in commercial form, are admixed more or lesswith quantities of other polyvinyl compounds such as the esters.Although the polyvinyl compounds present with the polyvinyl alcohol maybe water-insoluble by themselves, the mixture is substantially entirelywater-soluble. To insure that the composition will be entirelywater-soluble, it is preferable to utilize a polyvinyl composition whichconsists of a major portion of a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol. Theamount of substitution of other polyvinyl compounds for polyvinylalcohol will be determined mainly by how closely the characteristics ofsuch other polyvinyl compounds approach those of polyvinyl alcohol.

As to the commercial water-soluble polyvinyl alcohols, desirable resultshave been obtained by the use of a mixture of polyvinyl alcohols ofmedium and high viscosity. The P lyvinyl alcohol of medium viscosity hasa viscosity in the neighborhood of 24 centipoises in a 4% aqueoussolution at 20 0. whereas a polyvinyl alcohol of high viscosity has aviscosity in the neighborhood of 55 centipoises under the sameconditions of measurement.

The amount of such polyvinyl compound which is used should not be lessthan about 5% of the total principal ingredients, inasmuch as forsmaller amounts the effect of crispness and springiness obtained by theuse of the compositions is materially decreased.

The urea-aldehyde compounds, which it is preferred to use, are thepartial condensation prod-- nets of urea and an aldehyde reactivetherewith which, for example, may be formaldehyde. The condensation iscarried out to an extent short of the formation of a water-insolubleproduct. In the case of urea and formaldehyde this would be. forexample, a methylol urea compound, such as dimethylol-urea.

Although formaldehyde, in general. is. the most convenient to use informing the urea-aldehyde compound, any aidehydes which are reactivewith urea to form a water-soluble but potentially water-insolubleresinous compound may be utillzed. In addition to formaldehyde, theywould include such compounds, for example, as crownaldehyde,acetaldehyde and acrylicaldehyde and polymers and analogs of thealdehydes, such as trioxymethylene paraformaldehyde, paraldehyde andhexamethylene tetramine.

The amount of urea-aldehyde condensation product which is utilizedshould not be less than 5% of the total principal ingredients in orderto obtain the desired permanence and water-insolubility resulting fromthe subsequent heat treatment of the materials. In general, it ispreferred to use an amount of the urea-aldehyde condensation productwhich is substantially equal to the amount of polyvinyl compound. Eitherof these ingredients may vary, however, within a relatively wide range.but in general, it is preferred that neither of these ingredients shallexceed the other by more than 50%.

If desired, modifying agents such as sulfonated or sulfated oils andalcohols, or any of the known interface modifying agents may be utilizedto improve the flow characteristics of the composition. In general it ispossible to add any of the well known materials heretofore used forrendering compositions more amenable to textile processing operations.

Referring to the above discussed preferred amounts of the principalingredients, it will be noted that a composition preferably will containat least 50% of a starch, at least 5% of polyvinyl alcohol and at least5% urea-aldehyde condensation product. In other words, the preferredranges of these ingredients are 50 to starch and the remainder, i. e.,50 to 10% comprising polyvinyl compound and urea-aldehyde condensationproduct neither of which exceeds the other by more than about 50%. As aspeciilc example, a preferred composition containing 65 parts of starchwill contain 35 parts of the other principal ingredients in equalamount, i, e., approximately 17% parts each of polyvinyl compound anddlmethylol urea. Either of these other ingredients, however, may varybetween the range of 10 to 25 parts in order to obtain preferredresults.

The compositions are prepared by mixing the principal ingredients withan amount of water sufllcient to dissolve and disperse said ingredientsand which amount may be increased depending upon the viscosity andconcentration desired. The mixture thereupon is heated moderately fromto F. i. e., enough to cause the starch to become dispersed, such as byswelling or gelatinizing. Modifying agents may be added, either prior orsubsequent to such heating. The resulting solution thereupon may beapplied to the fabrics by any well known conventional coating processessuch as by dipping, or application with brushes, rolls, and the like.The coated fabrics subsequently are dried at an elevated temperature ofpreferably within the range of 225' to 260 F. As a result of the use ofthis elevated temperature. the coating becomes insolubiiized upon thefabric.

While the insolubilization may be brought about with heat alone, it maybe preferred to facilitate the insolubillzation by ch cal means.

If desired. for example, the presence of formaldehyde or a decrease inthe pH value may be utilized to increase the rate of insolubilization.All such modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe invention.

It is not intended to limit the invention to any particular theory ofhow the urea-aldehyde reaction product, the polyvinyl compounds, and thestarch become permanently bound to the fabric. There is some evidence toindicate that this may result from a chemical coaction between thestarch and the urea-aldehyde, the polyvinyl alcohol or the urea-aldehydeor all three, but it may be limited to a physical coaction of thematerials or a combined physical and chemical action. In any event, itis apparent that some coaction takes place which renders the compositioninto a unitary material which is permanently secured to the fabric evenwhen subjected to repeated launderings and the like.

It will be apparent that the invention may be susceptible to manyvariations by one skilled in the art and all such variations areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous me dium and to be insolubilized thereon to renderthe textile material permanently crisp and resistant to shrinkage,comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least about of awater-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and at least about 5%of a water-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol asthe major ingredient.

2. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon to renderthe textile material permanently crisp and resistant to shrinkage,comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least about 5% ofa water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and at least about5% of a water-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcoholas the major ingredient, said urea-aldehyde condensation product andsaid polyvinyl composition being present in substantially equal amounts.

3. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon to renderthe textile material permanently crisp and resistant to shrinkage,comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least about 5% ofa. water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and at least about5% of a water-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcoholas the major ingredient, said urea-aldehyde condensation product andsaid polyvinyl composition being present in amounts such that neitherexceeds the other by more than 50%.

4. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerials in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situto render the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at leastabout 5% of a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and atleast about 5% of a. watersoluble polyvinyl alcohol,

5. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance. at leastabout 5% of a water-soluble urea-formaldehyde condensation product, andat least about 5% of a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol.

6. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and t be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at leastabout 5% dimethylol urea, and at least about 5% of a water-solublepolyvinyl alcohol.

7. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising at least 50% of an acetylated starch, at leastabout 5% of a methylol urea, and at least about 5% of a water-solublepolyvinyl alcohol.

8. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising as the principal ingredients, an amylaceousubstance, a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient, said amylaceous substance being present in an amountof at least 50% and not over of said principal ingredients, and saidremaining ingredients being present in an amount whereby neither exceedsthe other by more than 50%.

9. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous me dium and to be lnsolubilized thereon in situto render the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising as the principal ingredients, an amylaceoussubstance, a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient, one hundred parts of said principal ingredientscomprising 50 to 90 parts amylaceous substance, at least 5 parts of saidurea-aldehyde condensation product, and at least 5 parts of saidpolyvinyl composition.

10. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising as the principal ingredients, an amylaceoussubstance, a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient, one hundred parts of said principal ingredientscomprising 50 to 90 parts amylaceous substance, and the remainingingredients in an amount such that neither exceeds the other by morethan 50%.

11. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applie to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprisin as the principal ingredients, an amylaceoussubstance. a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient, one hundred parts of said principal ingredientscomprising 50 to 90 parts of amylaceous substance and 10 to 50 parts ofsaid ureaaldehyde condensation product and said polyvinyl composition insubstantially equal amounts.

12. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising as the principal ingredients, an amylaceoussubstance, a. water-soluble urea-formaldehyde condensation product, andwater-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, said amylaceous substance being presentin an amount of at least 50% and not over 90% of the principalingredients, and said remaining ingredients being present in an amountsuch that neither exceeds the other by more than 50%.

13. An aqueous dispersion of a composition of matter that is adapted tobe applied to textile material and insolubilized thereon to rendertextile material permanently crisp and resistant to shrinkage,comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least 5% of awater-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, and at least 5% of a watersolubleurea-aldehyde reaction product.

14. A method of imparting permanent crispness and stability againstshrinkage to textiles comprising applying thereto an aqueous dispersionof 50 to 90 parts of an amylaceous substance, at least 5 parts of awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient, and at least 5 parts of a watersoluble urea-aldehydecondensation product, and thereafter heating to a temperature of atleast 225 F.

15. A method of imparting permanent crisp- ,ness and resistance toshrinkage to textiles comprising applying thereto an aqueous dispersionof a composition comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, atleast 5% of a watersoluble polyvinyl alcohol, and at least 5% of awater-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and thereafterinsolubilizing the composition on the fabric by means of heat,

16. A method of imparting permanent crisp- .ness and resistance toshrinkage to textiles comprising applying thereto an aqueous dispersionof one hundred parts of a composition containing 50 to 90 parts of anamylaceous substance, and the remainder a water-soluble polyvinylalcohol and a water-soluble condensation product of urea andformaldehyde in amounts such that neither exceeds the other by more than50%, and heating to a temperature at which the applied materials becomeinsolubilized on the textile.

17. A method of treating textiles to impart a permanent crispness andresistance to shrinkage thereto, comprising applying thereto acomposition of matter comprising an aqueous dispersion of at least 50%of an amylaceous substance, at least 5% of a water-soluble polyvinylalcohol, and at least 5% dimethylol urea, and thereafter heating thetextile to a temperature of at least 225 F.

18. A method of treating textiles to impart a permanent crispness andresistance to shrinkage thereto, comprising forming an aqueousdispersion of a composition containing 50 to of an amylaceous substance,at least about 5% of a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, and at leastabout 5% of a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, applyingsaid dispersion to the textiles, and thereafter heating to a temperatureat which the materials become insolubilized on the textiles.

19. A method of improving the physical characteristics of textilescomprising dispersing in water a composition containing at least 50% ofan amylaceous substance, at least 5% of a watersoluble polyvinylalcohol, and at least 5% of a water-soluble condensation product of ureaand an aldehyde, said polyvinyl alcohol and said urea-aldehydecondensation product being present in substantially equal amounts,applying the resulting dispersion to the textile, and thereafter heatingto a temperature of at least 225 F. to insolubilize the composition onthe textile.

20. A textile fabric characterized by a permanent crispness andstability against shrinkage when subjected to repeated launderingscomprising a fabric having insolubilized thereon in situ a compositioncomprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least 5% of awatersoluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and at least 5% of awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient.

21. A textile fabric characterized by a permanent crispness andstability against shrinkage when subjected to repeated launderings,comprising a fabric having a composition insolubilized thereon from anaqueous dispersion thereof, said composition comprising at least 50% ofan amylaceous substance, at least 5% of a Water-soluble polyvinylalcohol, and at least 5% dimethylol urea. Y

FRED G. LA PIANA. HERMAN S. BOSLAND.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2, ,715.

September 25, 19145.

FRED G. LA PIANA, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 1,second column, lines 16 and 17, for "water-insoluble" read"water-soluble"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 1st day of January, A.D. 1956,

(Seal) Leslie Frazer First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

aldehyde condensation product and said polyvinyl composition insubstantially equal amounts.

12. A composition of matter that is adapted to be applied to textilematerial in an aqueous medium and to be insolubilized thereon in situ torender the textile material permanently crisp and resistant toshrinkage, comprising as the principal ingredients, an amylaceoussubstance, a. water-soluble urea-formaldehyde condensation product, andwater-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, said amylaceous substance being presentin an amount of at least 50% and not over 90% of the principalingredients, and said remaining ingredients being present in an amountsuch that neither exceeds the other by more than 50%.

13. An aqueous dispersion of a composition of matter that is adapted tobe applied to textile material and insolubilized thereon to rendertextile material permanently crisp and resistant to shrinkage,comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least 5% of awater-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, and at least 5% of a watersolubleurea-aldehyde reaction product.

14. A method of imparting permanent crispness and stability againstshrinkage to textiles comprising applying thereto an aqueous dispersionof 50 to 90 parts of an amylaceous substance, at least 5 parts of awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient, and at least 5 parts of a watersoluble urea-aldehydecondensation product, and thereafter heating to a temperature of atleast 225 F.

15. A method of imparting permanent crisp- ,ness and resistance toshrinkage to textiles comprising applying thereto an aqueous dispersionof a composition comprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, atleast 5% of a watersoluble polyvinyl alcohol, and at least 5% of awater-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and thereafterinsolubilizing the composition on the fabric by means of heat,

16. A method of imparting permanent crisp- .ness and resistance toshrinkage to textiles comprising applying thereto an aqueous dispersionof one hundred parts of a composition containing 50 to 90 parts of anamylaceous substance, and the remainder a water-soluble polyvinylalcohol and a water-soluble condensation product of urea andformaldehyde in amounts such that neither exceeds the other by more than50%, and heating to a temperature at which the applied materials becomeinsolubilized on the textile.

17. A method of treating textiles to impart a permanent crispness andresistance to shrinkage thereto, comprising applying thereto acomposition of matter comprising an aqueous dispersion of at least 50%of an amylaceous substance, at least 5% of a water-soluble polyvinylalcohol, and at least 5% dimethylol urea, and thereafter heating thetextile to a temperature of at least 225 F.

18. A method of treating textiles to impart a permanent crispness andresistance to shrinkage thereto, comprising forming an aqueousdispersion of a composition containing 50 to of an amylaceous substance,at least about 5% of a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, and at leastabout 5% of a water-soluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, applyingsaid dispersion to the textiles, and thereafter heating to a temperatureat which the materials become insolubilized on the textiles.

19. A method of improving the physical characteristics of textilescomprising dispersing in water a composition containing at least 50% ofan amylaceous substance, at least 5% of a watersoluble polyvinylalcohol, and at least 5% of a water-soluble condensation product of ureaand an aldehyde, said polyvinyl alcohol and said urea-aldehydecondensation product being present in substantially equal amounts,applying the resulting dispersion to the textile, and thereafter heatingto a temperature of at least 225 F. to insolubilize the composition onthe textile.

20. A textile fabric characterized by a permanent crispness andstability against shrinkage when subjected to repeated launderingscomprising a fabric having insolubilized thereon in situ a compositioncomprising at least 50% of an amylaceous substance, at least 5% of awatersoluble urea-aldehyde condensation product, and at least 5% of awater-soluble polyvinyl composition containing polyvinyl alcohol as themajor ingredient.

21. A textile fabric characterized by a permanent crispness andstability against shrinkage when subjected to repeated launderings,comprising a fabric having a composition insolubilized thereon from anaqueous dispersion thereof, said composition comprising at least 50% ofan amylaceous substance, at least 5% of a Water-soluble polyvinylalcohol, and at least 5% dimethylol urea. Y

FRED G. LA PIANA. HERMAN S. BOSLAND.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2, ,715.

September 25, 19145.

FRED G. LA PIANA, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 1,second column, lines 16 and 17, for "water-insoluble" read"water-soluble"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 1st day of January, A.D. 1956,

(Seal) Leslie Frazer First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

